Associated Press
HURLEY — Two obsolete smokestacks that loomed over this southwestern New Mexico mining community for decades were demolished and reduced to a pile of concrete rubble in about 20 seconds Tuesday.
The stacks — one 625 feet tall, the other 501 feet — were the last remnants of a Phelps Dodge Corp. copper smelter that closed in 2002, a victim of falling copper prices and advances in copper extraction.
Demolition charges were placed on the two stacks Monday and set off at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Phelps Dodge spokesman Richard Peterson said the stacks were showing their age and that the top part of the shorter one was not structurally sound.
"Stacks are expensive and require ongoing maintenance and inspection, as well as floodlights on them to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations,'' he said.
The shorter stack was built in 1939 and the taller one in 1967.
The original plan to bring down the smokestacks last month was delayed when the Gila Resources Information Project contended the demolition threatened the health of residents and the safety of their property. The group cited concerns about falling debris, seismic shocks and potential contamination of soil and indoor air with dust and metals.
A judge rejected the group's petition, clearing the way for the demolition.
Former Hurley resident John Portillo, who said he grew up four houses away from the stacks, bought four $1 raffle tickets and won the honor of pushing a ceremonial plunger to bring down the stacks.
Before the demolition, he said: "My hands are sweaty. I'm feeling sentimental, excited and sad.''
Onlookers heard the boom of the explosives, then saw a puff of smoke sprout from the tops of the stacks before they started to tumble to the northeast.
Hurley Police Department Chief Bobby Ruiz estimated at least 5,000 people came to town to watch the demolition.
SaVanne Kilgore, president of the Hurley Pride Committee, said raffling the honor of pushing the plunger raised about $1,400, which will be used to provide Christmas lighting for the town.
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